Orthodontists, dentists atop list of best jobs in U.S.

U.S. News & World Report announced Jan. 26 its list of the best jobs of 2016, and for the second year in a row, dental professionals capped the list.

Orthodontists were No. 1 on the list, and dentists were No. 2. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons cracked the top 10, landing at No. 10 in a tie.

In 2015, dentists were No. 1.

“Once again, dentists topped the list of the best jobs of 2016 according to U.S. News & World Report, said ADA President Carol Gomez Summerhays. “With great growth potential, low unemployment and a healthy work-life balance — not to mention enormous job satisfaction from treating and caring for our patients — it’s a good time to be a dentist. The ADA is proud of this achievement.”

To rank the best jobs, the magazine analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data, weighing statistics on job volume, median salary, stress level and other factors that matter to consumers.

In achieving its No. 1 ranking, the bureau predicts that orthodontics will grow by 18 percent from 2014 to 2024. The agency suspects this growth will be driven by an ascending desire for specialized dental care, the magazine said.

For dentists, the bureau predicts employment growth of 18 percent between 2014 and 2024. “A comfortable salary, low unemployment rate and agreeable work-life balance boost dentist to a top position,” the magazine said.

Regarding oral maxillofacial surgeons, the magazine said, “As the baby boom population ages, there will likely be an increasing demand for the sort of complicated oral and facial treatments and surgeries that these health care professionals can offer.”